Wiz Problema: Catalan TikTok Star Breaking Stereotypes with Viral Sketches

Mohamed Lamin, better known by his artistic name Wiz Problema, has become one of the most popular Catalan-language content creators on social media. With 1.3 million followers on TikTok and over 750,000 on Instagram, the young man from Mataró has gone viral through his character sketches, including the iconic Josep.

He is visiting Andorra today to take part in the Eixivern event, at a high point in his career with new projects in the works. Lamin uses his platform to promote the Catalan language and challenge stereotypes.

His stage name draws from rapper Wiz Khalifa, whom he admires, and "Problema" reflects his mischievous childhood as the class clown in his neighbourhood. Friends had long urged him to post videos online, but he hesitated, thinking everything had already been done. He eventually started while holding down a job, encouraged by a cousin to try TikTok for its reach. The move paid off.

A breakthrough came when one video exploded in popularity, reposted by major accounts and bringing in 80,000 followers overnight. That prompted him to produce the content he truly envisioned, such as sketches of mothers waiting outside schools that resonated widely.

The character Josep emerged naturally. Creating figures from various cultures, Lamin gave his Catalan one a typical name—Josep, like a work colleague. A video from Paris teasing the colleague about an estelada flag took off massively, marking another turning point.

Lamin creates almost exclusively in Catalan, but faces online backlash. "There is Catalanophobia on social media, and I don't understand it. It's my language," he said. He stressed that he is not disrespecting anyone or breaking laws, advising critics simply to scroll past.

His background adds another layer: people often do not expect him to speak Catalan because he is Black. "They are amazed when they hear me," he noted. Born in Catalonia, he sees breaking such prejudices as positive.

Lamin rejects the stigma around content creators, pointing out the hard work behind social commentary that goes beyond dancing for the camera. He aspires to train as an actor, noting his sketches already demand strong performance skills.

To young Andorran creators attending his talk, he advised shedding any shame about using Catalan. "Don't think speaking Catalan will limit your audience. I'm here, invited to a major event, precisely because I bet on Catalan."